KZMU News

This week on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent. We start with a story about the recently announced candidates running for mayor and city council in the upcoming Moab election. Then, we discuss the latest updates on where things stand with funding for the Trail Ambassador program. And we finish with a quick story about which local businesses received state grant money recently and what that money will fund.

- Show Notes -

• Table is set for Moab city elections

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/table-is-set-for-moab-city-elections/

• County eyes $1M in reimbursements to resolve tourism tax dispute

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/county-eyes-1m-in-reimbursements-to-resolve-tourism-tax-dispute/

• Grand County awards $200K in state grant funding to local projects

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-awards-200k-in-state-grant-funding-to-local-projects/

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear about the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Uinta Basin Railway and what it could mean for the future of environmental regulation. Then, a story about three of our partner stations that have joined NPR a lawsuit against the Trump administration for cuts to public media funds. Next, we hear from author Craig Childs about his new book The Wild Dark: Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light. And we finish with a visit to the Jackson Hole Rodeo, a summer tradition in Wyoming.

This week on the News Reel, we speak to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Times-Independent. We discuss a controversial sentencing for a man convicted of possessing images of child sex abuse. We also discuss the $2.5 million contract the city recently approved for road repairs on 100 East, the first project funded by Moab’s property tax. And we finish with a story about declining visitation from Canadian tourists and the impacts on local businesses.

- Show Notes -

• A Moab-based judge opted not to send a child sex offender to prison. GOP lawmakers are demanding he resign

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/a-moab-based-judge-opted-not-to-send-a-child-sex-offender-to-prison-gop-lawmakers-are-demanding-he-resign/

• Moab awards $2.5M 100 East improvement contract

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-awards-2-5m-100-east-improvement-contract/

• Nearly half of Utah’s foreign tourism comes from Canada, and they’re not coming this year

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/nearly-half-of-utahs-foreign-tourism-comes-from-this-country-and-theyre-not-coming-this-year/

On this week's Regional Roundup, we hear how planting trees in Grand Junction and Moab can help mitigate extreme heat. Next, we bring you an audio postcard that captures the sounds of migrating birds in the region. We’ll also hear stories about an initiative in Western Colorado to keep more water in the Colorado River without impacting irrigators, a visit from Tibetan monks who blessed the North Fork River, efforts to find safe housing for domestic violence victims in the area, and how educators are trying to teach teenagers about consent.

This week on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent. We discuss Grand County’s budget and new concerns about whether certain transient room tax funds can be spent on projects such as the Trail Ambassadors Program. We also discuss a new fundraiser for Community Rebuilds, which is trying to restaff its organization after recent AmeriCorps cuts eliminated seven positions at the nonprofit. And we finish up with a story about the county’s decision to purchase a new building for the Children’s Justice Center.

- Show Notes -

• Grand County to revisit Trail Ambassador funding after renewed TRT compliance concerns

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-to-revisit-trail-ambassador-funding-after-renewed-trt-compliance-concerns/

• Community Rebuilds launches $50K campaign after AmeriCorps cuts

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/community-rebuilds-launches-50k-campaign-after-americorps-cuts/

• Grand County to buy nearly $1M ‘forever home’ for Children’s Justice Center

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-to-buy-nearly-1m-forever-home-for-childrens-justice-center/

In this week's Regional Roundup, we speak to Durango's new mayor, who has made history as the first Indigenous person to hold the position. We also hear about Aspen's queer prom that offers a safe and celebratory space for LGBTQ youth. Next is a story about a choir that uses choral music to spark important community conversations. Then, we tag along on a field trip with some elementary students as they explore the Valley Floor near Telluride. And finally, we hear from the author of "Her Place on the Map: 18 Women and the Colorado Wonders Named for Them."

On the News Reel this week, we speak to Doug McMurdo from the Moab Times-Independent about a uranium mine in San Juan County that could be one of the first mines approved under the Trump administration’s directive to expedite permitting and the environmental review process. We also give a quick update about the grand opening of Utahraptor State Park and a preview of the Moab Arts Festival this weekend.

- Show Notes -

• Trump administration to fast-track permits for Utah uranium mine

https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2025/05/13/utah-uranium-trump-administration/

• Utahraptor State Park to host grand opening on May 23

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/utahraptor-state-park-to-host-grand-opening-may-23/

• Moab Arts Festival to return this weekend

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-arts-festival-returns-this-weekend/

This week on Regional Roundup, we hear about a recent study that scrutinizes early stage plans from Congress to use public lands for housing developments. We also hear about a water conservation program in Western Colorado, and a story about a horse rescue group working to save mustangs from kill buyers. To finish, we hear about a Navajo community in San Juan County that now has access to running water for the first time.

On the News Reel this week, we talk to Andrew Christiansen from the Moab Times-Independent about the Kane Creek development, now called Echo Canyon, which was recently rejected in the process of becoming a preliminary municipality, though developers are expected to re-apply soon. We also mention possible changes in the county’s Building Department, which could be replaced by third-party contractors. And we finish with the latest water report, which shows record low snowpack in southern Utah this year.

- Show Notes -

• Controversial developer’s bid for incorporation rejected by state

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/controversial-developers-bid-for-incorporation-rejected-by-state/

• Grand County weighs third-party option for building inspections

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-weighs-third-party-option-for-building-inspections/

• Southern Utah snowpack ‘record dry’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/southern-utah-snowpack-record-dry/

On the News Reel this week, we speak to Andrew Christiansen from the Moab Times-Independent about recent cuts to AmeriCorps programs nationwide and how these cuts are affecting organizations in Moab. We also talk about the local National Park Service headquarters building that’s at risk of closing in April if the federal government follows through on its plan to not renew leases for many federal offices across the country.

- Show Notes -

• DOGE targets AmeriCorps

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/doge-targets-americorps/

• Built for efficiency, used for decades: Moab’s NPS headquarters faces uncertain future

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/built-for-efficiency-used-for-decades-moabs-nps-headquarters-faces-uncertain-future/